Between
1892 and 1954 this location was housing a military arsenal, at its clusure it
became the main entry point for immigrants who arrived in the United States.
This building actually houses the Ellis Island Immigration Museum which is open
to visitors who are allowed to visit the location, a combo ticket is available
for the ferry to Ellis island that also goes on to the nearby Statue of
Liberty.

The port
of Ellis Island saw more than 12 millions people dreaming to become US
citizens.

On the
arrival they had to show to the US authorities their travel documents with
information about the ship that brought them to New York.

Doctors
screened very fast each passenger arriving at the port, marking with a piece of
chalk on their back those who needed further health checks.

Those
who passed their first test were taken to the Hall of Records where INS
officers recorded their personal data such as name, place of birth, marital
staus, location of destination, availability of money, professional skills and
criminal records.

After
this process they received their permit of entry and were taken to the pier for
the ferry to Manhattan

Those
"marked" on the back were taken to another rooom for further medical
checks.

In
accordance with newcomers policy the old persons, disabled, the blinds, the
deafs, those with serious mental disorders and thoso with other infirmities were
not allowed to enter the US.

However,
records show that only two percent of the immigrants were rejected, threfore
those considered unfit to enter the country were immediately reimbarked on the
the same ship that brought them to USA, the ship company was obliged to return
the rejected people to their port of origin in accodance with US rules and
laws.